Zelensky Vows More Strikes After Ukraine Hits 2 Russian Refineries
Updated
Updated · The Independent · Jun 28
Zelensky Vows More Strikes After Ukraine Hits 2 Russian Refineries
3 articles · Updated · The Independent · Jun 28
Summary
Zelensky said Ukraine will keep striking inside Russia after overnight drone attacks hit oil refineries in Krasnodar and Yaroslavl, calling them “long-range sanctions” meant to drain resources from Moscow’s war effort.
The Slavyansk-na-Kubani refinery in Krasnodar caught fire, with the regional governor reporting one person killed and another injured in a nearby village; Yaroslavl, about 270 km east of Moscow, also faced drone attacks.
Russia answered with early-morning ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv that injured at least two people, underscoring the continuing cycle of cross-border escalation.
The new attacks fit a 40-day offensive Zelensky said he approved after consulting Ukraine’s security service chief, while urging Putin to “get out of Ukraine” and move toward peace.
Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian energy infrastructure to squeeze fuel supplies and weaken war financing, extending the battlefield hundreds of kilometers beyond the front line.
With its oil refineries burning, is Ukraine's economic warfare strategy crippling Moscow's ability to continue the war?
Can Ukraine's new 40-day offensive, armed with long-range missiles, finally force Russia to the negotiating table?
Fueling Crisis: The Strategic and Economic Fallout of Ukraine’s 2026 Drone Attacks on Russian Energy Assets
Overview
As of June 2026, Ukraine has sharply intensified its drone campaign, reaching deeper into Russian territory and focusing on critical infrastructure. This marks a clear strategic shift, as Ukraine aims to disrupt Russia’s economic resilience by repeatedly targeting oil refineries and fuel supply chains, which are vital sources of Russian revenue. Swarms of drones have struck key assets such as oil processing facilities, arms production sites, and logistical arteries, escalating the conflict and highlighting Ukraine’s emphasis on undermining Russia’s energy capabilities. These actions signal a new phase in the war, with significant impacts on Russia’s economy and fuel security.